Educational appliance



Dec. 11, 1928. 1,694,405

N. Y. TROIDL EDUCATIONAL APPLIANCE Filed July 22, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1m V 6, W

Patented ea. 11, i928.

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NELLIE YGEK TROEDL, 0F NIAGARA FALLS, NEV? YORK.

nnnca'rronar APPLIANCE.

Application filed July 22,

I .mathematical problems, and this invention is particularly directed todevices or appliances with'which the chil'ds instinctive 2 sociation ofobjects of similar characteristics is utilized in teaching it simpleexercises, such as simple spelling, reading, or mathematics. n

An object of the invention to provide an improved educational. applianceof 'slliS type with which the instruction of children in spelling,reading, arithmetic, and other subjects is facilitated. Moreparticularly, an object is to provide such improved appliances withwhichthe interest of the child in the exercises being solved is morereadily maintained; the use of which will be interesting to the child;with which a large number of diiferent exercises may be worked out witha relatively simple and compact device; and \vhich will be relativelinexpensive.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription of several embodiments of the invention, and the novelfeatures will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection withthe appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. l s an elevation of an applianceconsti'UCtQCl in accordance with this invention, .vith the objects setto' illustrate different problems in addition;

Fig. 2 is asimilar elevation of pori'inn oi the appliance, with the obects set to ill istrate problems insubtracqion:

3 is a simi elevation, with obyects set to illustrate problems both inaddition and subtraction Fig. 4c is an elevation of the appliance, withthe objects partially turned to show a plurality of faces; i a

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a portion of the device, with the manner ofn'ianipulation of the same; i

6 is an elevation of part ofa device, also constructed in accordancevwith the invention, but illustrating its use inflthe instruction ofspelling.

Fig. 7 is an elevation a. device also constructed in accordance with theinvi. ion, but illustrating its use in the instruction of 1928.serrations 1,236,

spelling in a slightly different manner from that used in Fig. 6; I

Fig. 8 IS an elevation of a portion of a device somewhat s1m11ar toFigs. 1 to 8,. butillustrating'a modification'thereof in which theproblem and solution are carried entirely bytlie objects instead ofpartly onthe ob-- jects' and partly on the frame, as in Figsl v Fig. '9is a sectionalelevation 'of'a' frame,

such as that of .Fig. 6, and illustratingone manner of holding theobjects in adjusted positions; and f Fig. 10 is an elevation of a groupof blocks forming a unit whichmay be usedfwithout a'frame. T

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, aplurality of wires orrods 1 are mounted in a'rectangular frame 2 so ast'o'extend in parallel, but spaced, relation to one another betweenopposite sides of the frame. A; plurality of multifacedfobgects 3, suchas'cubes,..are independently slidable and rotatable upon each wire 'orrod 1, such as by havmg apertures through which the rods 1 pass, Thecube is a suitable form for such objects,because it is inexpensive' andhas relatively largefaces.

I The faces of the cubes bear distinguishing characteristics by whichthey may be identified or grouped, and forsuch distinguishing Icharacteristics I have found different colors 1 to be verysatisfactory,because a child very early and easily learns to distinguish and identifycolors. Accordingly, in the illus-; V trated embodiment oftheinventiomthe faces] of the cubes are given different colors.

Figs. 1 to '6 and 8, eac-hcube has its faces ofpreferably not,arranged-'inthe sameorder of sequence uponeach cube," That is, each faceof acube on any one wire or rod 1 has a color identical with or relatedto that of'a face on eachof'the other cubes onthe same wire or rod,;a nddifferent colors upon each of 1t's, faces. Such difference in colors-isshown conventionally on the drawings.

In-Fig's. -1 to hand 8,'the cubes also carry upon their" faces characterrepresentations such as numerals 4i, and the numerals are so" arrangedupon races of like color on the set of cubes upon each rod or. wire thattogether they indicate part-or all of a mathematical Figs. 1 to 5 theproblems illustrated are in addition and subtraction. The frame, at theends of the rods 1, may also be provided with numerals 5 and 6 andadjacent its upper and lower parts with a subtraction sign 7 and anaddition sign 8, respectively. The wires 1 are onger than the combinedlengths of the cubes mounted thereon, so that the cubes may be shiftedas a glOUP, either to one end or the other of the wireror rod upon whichthey are mounted, as shown in the different views.

In Fig. 1 all ofthe cubes are shown atthe bottom ofthe rods 1, and theplus sign 8 indicates that the cubes are in position to indicateproblems in addition." Upon the left hand rod 1 in Fig. 1, the cubeshave been in dividua-llyrotated until their green faces,

are foremost. The numbers 1 and 0 appear ing upon those green faces.indicatethe par ticular problem in addition, and thenumber 6 at thebottom of that rod l'indicates the answer orv sum. Thus, in that example1 plus 0 equals 1. Similarly, the other cubes on the other wires havebeenrotatedso as to bring their corresponding colors foremost and thenumbers on the cubes indicate problems in addition, and theanswers orsums of vthose problems appear at'the ends of those wires or rows ofnumbers on the bottom part the frame.

In Fig. 2 thecubes have been shifted to the upper or opposite side ofthe frame adjacent the minus sign, and thus are set for indicat ingproblems in subtraction.

In Fig. 2, the number at the upper end of the rod 1 indicates the sumfrom which subnumbers on, the frame.

traction-is to be made, and the numbers upon the faces of the uppercubes indicate the amounts'which are to be subtracted from the Thenumbers appearing upon, the faces of the lower cubes ,.lIld!GLtQ theresult of such subtraction, that is, the answers to those problems. Onthe left hand rod inFig. 2, the green faces of the cubes have beenbroughtinto View, and the numbers indicate that 1' minus 1 equals 0.

Similarly, inxthe second from the left Wire on rod 1, in Fig. 2, theorange faces of the cubes'have been brought into View by select-iverotation of the cubes,-and the numbers on those faces of the cubes takenwith the Y glated to illustrate large numbers of number on the frame atthe head of that ro indicates that 2 minus-2 equals 0.

In Fig. 3,.one set of cubes is set to illustrate a problem in additionand its solution, and anotherset of cubes is, shown in'position toillustrate a problem in'subtraction and its solution. Obviously, a framehaving a large number of rods and cubes may be manipu.

. Pr blems and their solutions of both addition and subtraction. Thenumbers upon the various different colored faces of a group of cubesupon a rod 1, have such a relationship that nizing the picture of theegg,

the end objects will carry numbers which I were formerly placed at'theends of the rod 1 upon the frame. Thus, the different faces of theendcubes on any wire or rod may have different numbers, if desired, so thatthe. range of possible problems ls'considerably increased,

In Fig. 6. the appliance is arranged for instruction in reading andspelling. The cubes upon each wire or rod 1 have different colored facesand the color of each face of a cube is identical with or related to acolor of a face of each other cube or object upon the same wire orrod 1. In this instance, the faces of the cubes or objects, instead ofbearing numerals, may be provided with letters of the alphabet, and, ifdesired, pictures of various simple objects with .which a child isfamiliar, such as eggs, tops, fans, hats, well known animals, etc. Inthe upper group of Fig. 6, the blue faces of the cubes have been broughtinto view by selective rotation of the cubes, and the alphabet letters EGG, and a picture of an egg appear in a row, thus 11- lustrating anexercise in reading and spelling.

The child soon "learns to adjust the cubes to bring all of the faces ofthe same color into View, and obviously indicate words and a relate-dpicture, such as the alphabet letters E-GG, and the picture of an egg.Recogthe child learns very soon that those three alphabet lettersarranged in that order will spell egg, and

whenever those three letters appear-in that order, will know that theword is meant.

The spelling of the word egg is thus soon.

learned, and the appearance of these letters inthis manner also teachesthe child sight.

reading, because it, soon recognizes that those three letters inthat-order are the word symbol of an egg.

In the second row from the top, in Fig. 6,

thered faces have been brought into view and spell the word top, withthe picture of a top. The child learns this exercise in spelling andsight reading in thesame manner In the third from the top rowin Fig. 6,the colors of he faces do not agree and merelyillustrate how the cubesappear when they are not set for any particular exercise.

In Fig. 7, a similar appliance is illustrated, etz'cept that instead ofhavingthe identical faces of the cubes related and read alongthe rods 1they are read crosswise. That is, each face of a cube-on any wire'is'identical or related to the color of a face 'oneach other cube on thenext adjacent wire or rod -1,so that by rotating the cubes in anyrowcrosswise of the rods 1 until the same or related colors appear,

a problem in spelling or aritnmetic is obtamed. Thus, at the bottom roworFig. 7,

frame in which they are mounted, so'that when theframe is laid upon asurface upon which it is to be supported, with its face abutting thesurface on which it is supported, the objects or cubes will-be heldagainst rotation until the frame is moved somewhat from that surface.Thus accidental changes or displacement of the cubes after being once Iadjusted will be'prevented as long as the frame rests flat against asurface.

. of units may be used withoutthe frames if desired. For suchunitstheirods 1 are pro- In cases, such as ill--Flg. 6', where the objectssubstantially fill the' length of the wire or rod 1 on which theyare'mounted, suitable friction means may be employed forfrictionally'holding the'cubes in adjusted positions. As an example ofsuch an adjustment, note Fig; 9, Where a spring element 9, such asaconcave washer slit radially from its edges to some extent to formspring fingers,

is fitted over the wire or rod 1, so as to be under compression betweenthe frame and an end face of an adjacent objector cube3. This washerthus frictionally resists rotation of the adjacent object or cube 3, andthrough it also all of the objects or'cubes upon the same wire or rod 1.

In Fig; 10, one of the rodsl carryinga group of blocks 3 forming a unitis shownseparatefrom a frame, thusillustrating how sets vided attheir-ends with beads or enlargements'10 to confine the blocks to'therod 1.

lVhile in the description I have referred toidentical colors for'thedifferent facesofthe objects bearing any one particular exercise,'itwill be understood that related colors may instead be used, if desiredFor exam.-

ple, red, white and'blue might be employed V as the related colors,which, when brought together in'that order will display numbers-Preferably identicaljcolors for any problem are used,-

or letters indicating an exercise.

since a child more readilyle'a'rns'to group colors according totheirlikene'ss than according to a particular order of different coltralaxis, the faces of said objects having ch aring an educational exercise.

and illustrated in order to eXplaiirthena-f ture of the invention, may.heinade by those skilled in-the art Within the principle and scopeof theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

"I claim as my invention 1. In an educational appliance, a'rod, aplurality of multi-faced objects independently rotatable upon said rodupon a common cenacteristics .by which they may be identified anddistinguished and also bearing selected character representations, thecharacteristics of each face of an object having'a selectedrelation tothat of a face of each of'the other upon-those faces having the samecharacteristics, when brought into view by proper selective rotation ofthe objects, together indicat- 2. An'edu-cation'al appliance comprisinga frame, a plurality or rodsextending across the frame in approximatelyparallel relation to one another, a plurality of-multi-faccd objectsindependently rotatable centrally of themselves upon saidrodslin'separate. nonoverlapping paths, the faces 0f" said obj ectshaving characteristics by which they may be identified'andadistinguished and also bearing selected character representations,the'repr'e sentations upon faces of adjacent objects having particularlyrelated characteristics when objects, and the character representationsbrought into view selective rotation. of the objects, togetherindicating an educational exercise.

'3. An educational appliance comprising a frame, a rod mounted onsaidframe,-aplu rality of multi-faced objects independently rotatableon saidrod, the faces of said .ob- I p jects having characteristicsby whichthey maybe identifiedand distinguished, and also bearingselected'character representations,

said frame also bearing a character adjacent saidrod,therepresentations'upon faces ofthe objects having particularlyrelated characteri'stics, when brought into view by selective rotationof the objectsindicating together with the character. upon the frame,an"educational: exercise, the exercises differing with; the

differentigroups of related faces of the' objects which are brought intoviewy 4. An educational appliance, comprising a faces of saidobjects-having characteristics whichthey may be identified and distinguished from others, and also" bearing selectedcharacter-representations, said frame the representations upon facesofthe objects bearing particularly related characteristics, be obviousthat various changes'in h j the details which have been herein describedof the objects, indicating with the character 130 when brought into viewby selective rotation frame, a rod mounted on said frame, a plurality ofmulti-faced 'objects-rotatably and slidably mounted on said rod, so asto be shiftable'into groups ateither end of the rod, the

also bearing charactersadj acent the-rod ends, 7

' 7 upon the frame at the end of the rod wherethe objects are shifted,an educational exercise. --5. An educational device comprising a frame,a plurality of rods mounted in said frame between its faces, a pluralityof objects mounted for independent rotation on said rods, each objecthaving an even number of faces with a distance between opposite faces Iapproximately equal to the thickness of the frame between its faces,whereby when the frame is placed with one of its faces against asurface, rotation of the objects will beprevented'by their engagementwith saidsurface, said faces of the objects having characters thereonwhich will cooperate with related faces of adjacent objects whenadjacent obfjects in a desired direction arejrotated to numerals uponfaces of adjacent object-supon each red, when those faces havingparticularly. related characteristics arejbrought into I view byselective rotation of the objects, indieating Withthe numerals upon theframe certain mathematical exercises, the particular exercise; indicatedbeing dependent upon which end of the rod the objects are grouped.

7. An educational device comprising a frame, a plurality of rods mountedin vsaid frame, a plurality of multi-faced objects independentlyrotatable upon each rod, the

faces of the objects having related characteristics by which they may beidentified and distinguished, and also bearing selectednumerals, theframe adjacent'both ends of the rods also bearing numerals, the numeralsupon faces of adjacent objects upon each rod,

when those faces having particularly related characteristics are broughtinto view by selective rotation ofthe objects, indicating whenconsidered with'the adjacent numeral on the frame atone end of the rodon which these objects are mounted onearithmetical exercise,

and when consideredwith the adj acentnum- Vber onthe frame at the otherend ofithat rod, another and different arithmetical exercise;

,8. An educational device comprising a frame,'a plurality of rodsmounted in said frame, a plurality of inulti-faced objects rotatableuponeach rod independentlyof one another, the faces ofthe objects havingre lated characteristics by which they may be identified anddistinguished, and also bearing selected numerals, said frame alsohaving I the frame'at one end selected numerals arranged at the ends ofrows of said objects and related to thenu- -merals on said objects ineach row, whereby when said ob ects in any row are rotated to bring intoview at one time the faces having related identifying characteristics,the numbers on the objects so brought into viewwill indicate in conunction withthe numeral on V of that row an arithmetical exercise. I I

9. An educational device compris ng a frame a rod carried b said frame a)lurality of multi-faced objects rotatable on said rod independently ofone another and upon acommon central axis, the faces of each objecthaving identification characteristicsrelated to those of the otherobjects, whereby the objects may be rotated to present only faces withrelated characteristics at one time on all the objects, the faces withrelated ch aracteristics also bearing characters which together indicatean educational exercise. 10. An educational devicecomprising a frame, arod carried by said frame, a plu ral'ity of multi-faced obj ectsrotatable on said rod independently of one another,-the faces of eachobject having identification characteristics related to those of theotherobjects, whereby the objects may be rotated to present only faceswith related characteristics at one time on all the objects, said frame.

bearing a key character-adjacentthe end of said rod, the faces withrelated characteristics also bearing characters which together with saidcharacter on said frame indicate an educational exercise. 4

11.An educational problem comprising a frame, rod carried by said frame,a" plurality of multifaced objects rotatable on. I

said rod independently ofoneanother, the

faces of each object having identification characteristics related tothose of the other objects whereby the objects may be selectivelyrotated to present only faces having related characteristics at onetime, saidframe having characters adjacent both ends of said rod 7 andsaid faces having characters, the characters on said faces with relatedcharacteristics, when considered with the character on the frameadjacentone end thereof,indicating one educational exercise, and, whencon- 7 'sidered with the character on the frame adja-' cent the otherendthereof, indicating another and diii'erent'educational exercise. 7

c 12. An'educational problem comprisin a frame, a rod carried by saidframe, a purality of multi-faced objects rotatable and slidable on'eachrod independently of one another, the faces of each object havingidentification characteristics related to those of the other objects,whereby the objects may be selectively rotated to present only faceshaving related characteristics at one time,

said framehaving characters adjacent both endsof said rod ands'aid faceshaving charlav:

acters, the characters on said faces With reexercise, said rod having alength greater I lated characteristics, when considered withthanOccupied by the objects whereby the oh-' the character on the frameadjacent one end jects may he slid to one end or the other '10 thereof,indicating one educational exercise, to be away from and preventconfusion with 5 and, When considered With the character on thecharacter at either end thereof which is the frame adjacent the otherend thereof, innot being considered. Y dicating another and differenteducational I NELLIE YORK TRQIDL

